LIVERPOOL’S new waterfront arena will be called the Liverpool Echo Arena.

The move is part of a five-year sponsorship deal with Trinity Mirror. The 10,600-seater arena is costing £146m and will be opened in January next year in time for the city’s celebrations as European Capital of Culture.

It is at the heart of the Kings Dock development near the Pier Head and also has a 1,350-seat convention centre and a 7,000 square metre exhibition space.

The arena will attract major music acts from around the world as well as a number of international sporting events.

Speaking this week to the Visiter, Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales managing director Sara Wilde said: “Our portfolio of newspapers, websites and magazines reaches more than eight of out 10 people in this region alone so they will play a vital part in helping to publicise the events which will take place at the arena.

“ACC Liverpool is a wonderful development which will play a major part in the legacy of the city’s Capital of Culture celebrations. I’m so proud that the Echo and Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales are going to be a part of it.”

The Southport Visiter Series is part of Trinity Mirror’s portfolio of regional and weekly newspapers covering Merseyside and West Lancashire, as well as Cheshire and North Wales.